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Topic: Wheels used on Trans-Am Camaros (Read 80946 times)

Not certain if the following might be of aid to anyone, but two scans of Minilite lug and nut specifications as prepared and sent to me by TPR, Inc. of Indianapolis, IN in January of 1999. Then it was understood that this firm had purchased an inventory of NOS Minilite lugs and nuts at a bankruptcy auction, although it would require the input of others to more clearly illuminate matters. I responded to an advertisement found within the classifieds of Grassroots Motorsports, and the sheets found below were what was sent along to me. Good will towards the community...

I am new to this forum, and was sent here by a Ford buddy, also with a huge T/A racing habit. Personally, I'm into the AMC aspect of it, but I grew up around Chevrolets, and currently my brother has an old CenDiv 69 Camaro. I have a little input on the wheel topic, as I currently have a set of the American six spokes (also heard them referred to as TA-70) currently sitting on my Javelin streetcar! They've been in my family since 1985, and were originally 5 x4.75 but were "opened up" for the Ford pattern way back before we knew better. I have NEVER been able to find a marking on these wheels anywhere, but they sure spark interest to folks with an eye for detail. I'll try to add pics later. Oh, one of the last pictures above shows a Minilite with the "plugs" in it....more than likely from a 70 Penske Javelin.

Ron and I looked at that Penske wheel image a little more and it does seem like it probably does say the same thing ["C4 15114 BSM" on the small circular pad] as the one I took at the Sonoma Historics earlier this year (seen below).

I guess I will have to look at more Minilites as I run across them to see if it might be a standard stamping regardless of wheel diameter, bolt pattern diameter, etc.

Gee, your image is clearer than my 42-year-old B&W image LOL ... but you were probably taking a picture of the stamping and I was focused the left over signs of the wheel bearing failuire that day in 1969. I am reminded that the vintage racing vehicles of today are in much better condition than the vehicles were in their oriiginal racing days.

I have two sets of magnesium American Racing Wheels which were previously ran on Robert Christiansen's '69 Z28 in TransAm and IMSA GT races. One set are the 5 spokes (one of which has a cracked spoke), and the other set are the AR 6 spokes, in great shape. Both sets of wheels are 15 x 8. The 6 spokes have 4 inch backspace, and the 5 spokes have 4-3/4 backspace. Robert (Bob) who ran a gray/black '69 Z28 under the R.A.C.E banner for *(Robert A Christiansen Enterprises) ran the 'dry weather tires on the 5 spokes and rain tires on the 6 spokes...

My understanding is the when Trans Am began, AR had the 5 spokes, but esveral teams experienced cracking. AR began working on a stronger wheel, ultimately coming out with the 6 spokes, but by the time they were introduced, Minilite had gathered most of the market! The six spokes are considerably heavier than the 5 spokes, and are visably stronger.

I've got good front and back photos of both sheels, and Somewhere I've got an ad ran by AR for the TA70 wheels, if anyone is intersted in seeing them.

My car originally ran 15x8" steelies, 4.5" backspace (guessing on the backspace). Is there a good source for these? I know they're heavy... but I'd like a second set of wheels for the car, which is running Minilites now.Thanks,Alex